Run bike around the Park

Double up day today as i run early and did 7 x Paddington Hill reps at a pretty easy pace just focusing on good form and not worrying about the pace so much in an effort to build some lost strength in the legs. Had planned then to knock out a 40k time trial on the bike around the park similar to what i did this time last year to see how the times compared leading into the Phuket race - Unfortunately due to some small J.P Morgan race on tonight, there were diversions all around and you couldn't get past the cafe (at 6am this morning can you believe?). Still knocked out a fairly easy 50ks for the morning including a couple of fast laps, even sat in on one with Kiwi Champion girl Anna Cleaver who is back from the States and was flying around.
Not done as much on the bike as i would have liked but still feeling OK and with some solid times in the past 3 races over the past month or so I'm hopeful that i will be able to hold a steady pace over 55ks come race time.

As mentioned tonight is the big Corporate Challenge that is the J.P Morgan 5.6ks that many of the boys thrash out. Been some very good races over the years and this is a top priority for a couple of the regulars. Tom, Tucks and even Enda always seem to run this race really well, whilst for others the speed and hill factor doesn't suit, and even some Italians have struggled to get over the finish line in years gone by:)
Haven't really seen much of the boys over the past few weeks enough to assess the form - but in true Trash fashion i will give out a couple of my Head to Heads that will certainly develop over the evening.

Battle of the #1s Tom vs Tucks. Both very rarely run bad races with Tom perhaps having the better of Tucks this year (that's why he is number 1 after all ), probably due to Tucks doing these silly 100k walks that has seen him lose that zip of pace. Still.... what is it they say about Class?, with that I'm tipping Tucks to get one over the Chairman. (probably by 8 seconds)

Bartles vs J-Fen,  Another heavyweight battle both Mr Consistent although Mr B hasn't really shown me that he can convert his excellent training into races. J-Fen seems to be getting stronger but needs to put it on the line a little more to mix it with the top boys.
Timmy's Tip - J-Fen to shade it

Richie High vs B'Grade Binfield.  Not seen much of these two although i do know Richie loves this race and despite not being in top form will still be out for a sub 19, not sure it'll be enough against the B'Grade Man but anything can happen with this lad.
Tip - B'Grade in 18.41

PLOD vs Enda - Another battle of the Country Men, POD in career best form coming of the back of a 35.07 off the bike recently will be out to be Top Irish Dog, against Enda 'I haven't slept or trained for 7 weeks' Stankard, One of Enda's favorite races of the year and very rarely run over 18.45 for this one - don't know if that will be enough here though? and expect a little argie bargie in the last 400 metres should they be neck and neck coming onto the infield.
Tip  - Don't know why but , Enda ( and wait for the excuses if he doesn't)

Mikey Conway vs Richie Palmer.- Richie being one tough cookie wont be letting Mikey get away here and will be looking to continue his dominance since he was 12 years of age in Scots, Mikey though is the HuRTS man in form and you know he's serious when he PAYS HIS OWN ENTRY INTO THIS RACE after the UBS budget didn't submit an entry for him. Will be running angry because of such and after not running the race for the past 5 years this could just be his year?
Timmy's Tip - Mikey by about 4 seconds and come home in 19.01 (Don't let me down Mikey)

HuRTS Girls.- With #1 Laura still on her way back from injury this opens the door for the others, Young Anna has been flying in what i have seen (even beating me a few months back at Homebush) and will go well if she is running?  The Mermaid is always there or thereabouts but without her strong swim leg may find it tougher, Action girl Sonya will still be fresh after the New York Marathon was cancelled and may surprise many, whilst L.L will be on for yet another P.B at some stage of the night ........... seeing how many Wines she can get through before venturing up to Oxford Street.

I'll be out and about around the course with my trusty camera, so be sure to smile as you go by ( and expect a little abuse in return) . Think even Kanser could be my sidekick for the evening as rumor is he is NOT running either.

Run well everyone , full report ( and Excuses from Enda) will be up tomorrow
Good Luck

cheers

3200 Melbourne Cup Swim

Well perhaps nearly a week later then the Melbourne Cup and certainly not as fast as the 3 mins 20 it took Green Moon to cover the 3200 but i was back in the pool at 5.30 this morning to start the week off.
Over at Heffron with swim squad and boy do i find these sessions tough, tough as they are though you certainly get the ks done fairly quickly.
Series of 100,150, 200s and then even a 400 to finish off totaling 3.2ks all up before heading off to get the recovery coffee and toasted Banana Bread.
Have a massage booked for tomorrow but will try before then to test the leg out and have a bit of a trot early morning.

Huge Congratulations to HuRTS boy Eamo Kenihan who is getting married in a few weeks and had his Stag do on Saturday night. Trash has had reports Eamo and his Irish Sailing Mates were out on the Harbour celebrating. Even off shore the Trash Camera's were on hand to capture the moment the boys were up to no good - Lead as always by Enda Stankard and the Leech (Eoin)

Ohhhhhhh Sailor Boys........ PLOD, Eamo(white suit) Enda and the Leech Eoin, on the Harbour Saturday afternoon before hitting up to Oxford St at the Colombian Hotel for the evening.

JP Morgan is on Wednesday this week, decided NOT to run and rest up further, but tomorrow i will be giving my tips and times for the HuRTS frontrunner's ........And Enda :)

Cheers

Frankenstein Joins HuRTS

Back down for my 2nd swim of the week this morning and decided on doing 4 reps of 500 metre efforts, felt surprisingly good early on and touched the wall in 8.41 managing to hold sub 1.45/100s which although doesn't sound fast is pretty good to me.
Even happier when i stopped the clock at 8.33 for the second that then gave me the confidence to set myself up for the second half of the set. Just managed to hold the next two reps to under 8.45 so was very happy with that for the morning.
Times were ; 8.41, 8.33, 8.42, 8.44
finished off then with a few drills and a cool down for 2.4ks for the day.

Will continue to stay of my feet for the weekend and try to get back running (easy) next week, and hopefully the hamstring is on the mend. Looks like i will sit out JP Morgan now though as i don't want to aggravate it before Thailand and in truth the Corporate run is not a priority for me at this stage.

Many thanks for some of the comments posted on the BLOG - some less complementary then others, but hey .... I am happy for anyone to post and have there right to reply. I certainly give out plenty and contrary to what some Angry people may say i can certainly take it back.
Had to laugh at Anon's post that i looked like Frankenstein with my aero hat that i wear, and then to cap it all i get 'The Master' sending in photos below that remind me of 'Wallace' , did think he went a little far though when he suggested i should join the "Klu Klux Klan as i would look far better with a Hood over my bonce :)

Out with Kanser last night to see one of these bands he is always raving on about -  this was one with a difference mind as it was  a Muslim tribute band  ! "Bomb jovi " they were brilliant and the last track "living on a prayer mat " almost brought the house down !
think I'll stick with Rick Astley in future :)

Train well and have a great weekend
Cheers

Back to the Pool

With no sign of the hamstring getting any easier and after a couple of days off hitting the town large for Melbourne Cup i was back out in the pool early this morning.
Nothing flash just did a set of 300s and even went as far as doing some drills in an effort to improve further - The only issue with the drills is it really does show up how bad you really are, and i must have looked a right Wally as i spluttered my way down the pool doing One Armed drills. Still another 2ks completed as the countdown is now on before i fly out to Phuket.

Got a couple of photos from Sunday's Noosa tri - although you might need a magnifying glass to see them , not sure how i can enlarge them from the site ( any help from the Master would be appreciated?)

Always nice to have the swim leg over and done with.

Coming In of the bike

Doesn't look to dry to me - Flakey?

Coming over the finish line 2.11:25 minutes later - Happy Days.

Also would be wrong of me not to congratulate HuRTS boy on reaching another birthday today - Yes, Old Enda Patrick Stankard turns another one over today and joins the Chairman on his 39th - only one more before he joins the likes of High, Macca, Master, Palmer, Razor and I in the more senior club when the competition then really does hot up and he will need to toughen up a little just to survive in the company.
The years haven't been kind to Enda though as his wife Angela sent me this photo through this morning as he started the day off.

Enda celebrates another birthday, Happy birthday mate from all at the Trash and HuRTS  :)

Cheers

Noosa Triathlon 2.11:25 5th A/G

Up to the beautiful place that is Noosa on Saturday first thing for the annual Triathlon with 7000 other hopefuls.Had heard hundreds of stories in the pre 24 hours about peoples bikes been left behind in Sydney with Jetstar having major problems trying to cope with the volume so was delighted when i saw my bike appear from behind the huge doors first.
Straight up then to the lovely apartment that Kanser and the Good Wife had sorted for the weekend overlooking the water and National Park before getting out to the Expo and getting the bike set up and racked for the following morning.
Was still very concerned about the hammy issue i had since Thursday that i  was still feeling but tried not to think about it to much and thought hopefully plenty of Voltarens would get me over the start line at least. Awoke to find a very miserable morning ( please check Flakes blog for full weather details)  and also rain hovering around that would make the bike course very interesting. With about 187 wave starts i was 22nd to start still meaning that i had to get through a good volume of people out on the course.
As usual the mass chaotic start in the swim and i stay wide trying to avoid the washing machine on the way to the first turn, despite coping a few bumps and kicks i survive that and soon settle into my (slow) rhythm for the rest of the 1500m swim and delighted to stand out the water on my watch in 26.01 (even if it did feel like 2 hours) With a few minutes in the bank it was a quick run through and out on the 40ks before the first real DRAMA of the day........ My right Hammy was killing me and could barely turn the pedals over and had no chance of even getting down into my bars. With my race plans fading fast i could hardly believe it as i made my way out of town being passed by Grannies, Kids and little old fat ladies with a 'Danger Wide Berth 'sign covering there backsides. Had every thought possible over 6ks, and in truth even looked over my shoulder at one point with the intention of turning around and calling it day (and would have done so had it not been so busy). Continued on and was going to continue just to get around for the morning even if it took me 6 hours and the honour of having a 2nd DNF didn't sit to well with me.
Just before the turnoff for the 3k 'King of the Mountain'stage, all of a sudden the hammy eased a little and when a flyer came whizzing by it was my queue to fire up. I went with him and all of a sudden it was race back on, came over the top of the mountain and my pace and cadence were back with me as i was hitting speeds of up to 50ks/hour at one point. then reached the turnaround at 23 ks and belted for home storming down the big hill in excess of 86 clicks an hour. Delighted to get back into town as i saw the watch tick over the 62 minutes for the 40ks (officially longer as they take in T1 and T2 - not sure how that works).
Now the hard part was about to unfold on what is normally my stronger leg, and had no idea what to expect over the next 40 mins, saw Kanser on the way out, giving me abuse and telling me that his best mate Ronan had 2 minutes the better of me, as i settled in on 3.46 pace for the first couple of ks, Started to then get warm and i could feel my effort subside and the pace drop down to 3.48, then 3.49 ......Please GOD no lower then 3.50 i was saying to myself. Managed to hold that all the way back then and was secretly hoping even at half way that i could still sneak in for a 2.10 but it wasn't to be stopping the clock on 2.11:25 for 5th in my age group in near identical time to last year.

http://www.multisportaustralia.com.au/racetecresults/MyResults.aspx?CId=1&RId=758&EId=1&AId=178024

Absolutely spent after and was in a world of pain with not only one but BOTH hammies now screaming at me, Had a little dip in the water after to cool down and take it all in before retreating to The Kane Manor' where Kanser fired up the BBQ and displayed his best Jamie Oliver skills and fed what appeared to be the whole of Noosa and the kids over the next couple of hours washed down with many a beer.

It was then down the local Surf Club for a night of activities and it wasn't long before all the aches and pains were gone (probably after about the 8th Jug I'd say), great crowd in there with Kanser, The Lovely Lisa (L.L) from HuRTS, loads of BRATS, good mate of mine Pat and Kanser's best mate Ronan + wife Niamh who i managed to claim victory on the 'Head to Head' by 2 minutes, super race from him and it wont be long before he's smashing me in the New Year i suspect. Actually it was like a Comedy Act with these two, once Kane had a few beers and was getting Ronan going,  Little & Large, Bert & Ernie, Morecambe & Wise, POD & Stankard, The Two Ronnies , now add Ronan and Kane in the mix..... both planing there next attack on young Lindop perhaps in Mooloolaba Triathlon on March 17th (Paddies Day)

Was just getting started and throwing a few shapes on the Dance Floor when word filtered back that Kanser was looking slightly the worse for wear and nobody could make any sense out of him he was Gonnnnnskkiiiiiiii..... Kaput , time to depart, night over :)

Fantastic weekend and one that shall remain in the calendar for the 1st weekend of November each year, very well organised event in one of the best parts on the East Coast. Many thanks to the Kane family for putting me up over the weekend and the constant food and drink supplied as well as the support on the course (even if he was bagging me) - Much appreciated

Will take the rest of the week off now and try to rest up the leg although do intend to continue with my swimming right up till i go away in 2 weeks time

The Bike all set up and ready to go.

Out on the run leg, wasn't looking this happy on the way back.

Just reminding Ronan what the score is this season in the Head to Heads.
.... and please leave my shirt alone :)

Ireland's famous double act behind PLOD and Stankard....... Kane and Ronan.
* Hours later - he was to be carried out in a very drunken stupor.

View overlooking Noosa from our apartment that the Kanes had rented for the week - sensational place.

Cheers

Recovery Swim

With Noosa on this weekend the last thing i should have been doing was hitting the town for a big night out supping bottles of Heineken on Champagne Charlie's balcony overlooking Darling Harbour at all hours of the evening with the BRAT Hardmen. Probably not the best prep and so it was with a dodgy head that i made my way down to the pool for what was very much a recovery swim.
Knocked out 1.5ks in total with 1k of that straight, not fast and was just happy to be out turning the arms over and clearing the head
A little concerned now about my Hammy i twinged yesterday - Stupidity doing the 400s now looking back, just hope a couple of days rest helps as i have been very happy with the way the training has gone over the past 4 weeks leading into this race and was/am looking forward to this one
Predicting that in form Pete Walker with be first HuRT home, followed not far behind by Adam Conquest, I can't get close to those boys especially on the bike leg, besides trying for a good time to match my 2.11 last year, I'll be out to beat Ronan over the line as the loser has to buy the beer in the Surf Club at the post race celebrations for 60 minutes.

As mentioned i was out last night to see the 'Golden Shoe' handed out to winner*** Eoin the Leech for his 2.57 Marathon. Good old night with the lads munching down on Full  Racks of Ribs down at Hurricanes, Always a good feed at this joint, but i honestly can't believe just how much Angry Man Clyde can polish off, He ordered a rack for starters before we even sat down and that was just to wet his appetite, Enda was his normal self, still finding excuses and trying to wrangle out of bets we have made for the summer before leaving early as he is on his way to Darwin to hunt crocs or something for the weekend Steve Irwin style?
(I can almost hear his latest excuse next week - " A croc bit my leg" )

*** Just on the award - there was a late drama, as it now appears that there may be a stewards enquiry, and that Eoin may not be deemed the winner after all? It seems he is NOT a financial member of the BRATS now and could be stripped of his title.
Standby for more - I'm sure we haven't heard the last of this as 'ShoeGate' continues :)

A couple of photos from last nights events.

Past winner handing over the 'Golden Shoe' to Eoin for his efforts this year.

Eoin getting exciting with his Shoe, he was with the Japanese having more photos soon after.

Although being the winner doesn't stop Charlie handing you the mop to clean his apartment after dinner.

Clyde's entree before we even got to order ours - and YES both are his :)

The Famous Golden Shoe.

Great preparation for Noosa, sitting on champagne Charlie's balcony overlooking Darling Harbour - At least i got the official invite this time and he wasn't to upset unlike the last visit there last year.

Cheers

Mikey's (not so) 400s Rushcutters Oval.

With predicted top temps to hit 32 today i put out a call to the Chairman Tom to see if he wanted to get the session out the way early but when he refused to cross the Bridge on his day off it meant i was stuck with Mikey and the boys for the regular lunchtime set.
Session again was the same as last week, Full laps of Reg Bartley Oval, Rushcutters (450m) rolling off 2.10. After Mikey's struggle last week to remember the recovery time, i was given permission from the Chairman to blow the HuRTS budget and purchase a new 'High Alert Beeping Clock - that signals (when set up) when the time is right to go (every 2.10 today).
Good crowd in attendance once more and with Tucks leading from the front and a guest stint from Dave Clark (fresh in from Switzerland) on his tail i tucked in nicely with Bartles, Mikey, Enda, Skippy Heyden and Slim Sammy Agnew in our own little group.With a 81 first rep and then an even faster 2nd in 78 i knew today's set was going to be a tough one, the rest of the set pretty much followed suit although i noticed i was dropping off a second or two over the final 50 metres or so.
Felt a slight twinge in the right hammy on the 7th rep - so actually pulled the pin after that as a precaution, think its' OK but didn't want to upset it any more before Sunday and will now just rest with 3 days to go and hope it settles down before the race
Rep times for the 6 completed were; 81, 78, 79, 81, 81, 82, 82

As stated a tough old session this one, as everyone seemed to be working pretty much to the max (apart from Warrior Charlie again who was on about 45% and having longer breaks at that )
Felt sorry for Enda once again, as at one point i thought an ambulance was going to be required, as he was out sparko - See the photo below, and that was only after the 3rd rep of the day :)

.....Eight, Nine, Ten.....OUT ..Enda seconds after the 3rd rep of the day.

And Slim Sammy Agnew doesn't look much better, Although the poor guy is fast fading away, might have to talk to Jacqueline Agnew about feeding him, Tucks is in background, and NO that is NOT Warrior Charlie having a spew over the fence.

I was a little worried when the boys rocked up for the session today - still dressed up in last nights costumes care of Halloween night. It took me a while to figure out who was who, although with the big Pumpkin Head i knew that had to be Enda, See if you can guess the rest :)

The Boys on arrival at Rushcutters, L-R - Enda, MrAce, B'Grade and Skippy Heyden getting one in the Ghoulies from MrAce
Out tonight for the annual BRAT/Hardmen 'Golden Shoe' Award night that HuRTS boy Eoin 'The Leech' Reville took out for his 2.57 Marathon this year, heading down to Hurricanes to feast on a rack of ribs and a few beers, sure there will be plenty of banter flying around with the likes of Eoin, Enda, Charlie, J.C around, although Angry Man Clyde is there as well so i better not wear my Lance t-shirt or that may fire him up even more.

Cheers